Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-03-05
Claim SWindIers.

which had offices in the Stewart Building,
corner OF Broadway and Chambers street,
New York, was visited yesterday by detec-
tves, who made prisoners Of the men who
called themselves president and vice pres-
dent OF the concern. They are charged
with having carried ou swindling opera
tons TO great extent. George Frederick
Parker is the name of the president, and E.
S. WithereiI that Of the secretary. The
agency established itself, lung out its sign,
and advertised extensively that it was pre-
pared to examine, pass upon and collect the
claims of next Of kin or heirs to estates or
fortunes in chancery, in the Bank of Eng
land, or on the Continent OF Europe, when
ever the heirs, OF whom there were presum-
ably many in this country, should appea r
and make good their title. The statement
was given due prominence iu the printed
advertisements and prospectuses of the con-
Germ that there were over S4S, COO 900 await
ing such claimants. The claimants were
not slow in. coming. They came in little
droves at first, but soon increased wonder
fully. Both men are Englishmen, AID ap-
pear well posted on matters in chancery Oh
the other side. Parker is said to be ticket
of leave man, who came to New York from
Australia by permission by way of Califor-
nia. The cash books seized by the police
show that rarely less than 500 was received
each day, and lately S400y per day
was the average. The books of the concern
contained more than $4,000 names of next
of kin" Alphabetically arranged, who paid
in fees during the past winter. 1t was all
clear profit The agency never investigated
claim, never approached the Court OF
Chancery, and only paid expenses IN the
wny Of purchasing postage stamps, and pay
ing salary to decoy named james a.
Hales. said to have an office at No. lbs
Chaucery Lane, London. who wrole letters
90 the claims viewing them in Il favorable
light. One of the circulars OF the agency
was printed on heavy blue paper, with the
British coat-of arms and the heading, 10
the Bank of England and Paymaster Gener-
al, Court of Ghancery," which was sn ap-
plication to decoy Hsles to furnish informa-
ton regarding estates. Another type.wrt.
ten document stated that "Our president"
would sail for Europe on April 16 in tho in.
terest of several clients, and that he would
take charge of q few more good claims,
charging S24 IS for searobeT's fees, etc, with
the understanding that the money would
be returned if no collection was made
The agency has been under the eye of
the police 70: some months. As early
as last fall, within o few weeks
after the beginning Of the enterprise,
Inspector Byrnes received q letter
from Commissioner Monroe, of the London
police, calling attention to theswindle. In
spector Byrnes took the matter in hand at
once. Tie postofice authorities we're con-
suited with view TO having the concern
broken up under the United States laws for
| using the mails illegally, and the two de-.
partments worked in union. Upon the evi.
dence OF two swindled claimants, Parker
ard Witherel were indicted on Thursday
for illegally using the mails. and yesterday
Inspector Byrnes, with two Of his staff and
three postoffice inspectors, raided the prem.
ises made prisoners Of the men, and carted
| off the books and papers found there. They
were locked up at police headquarters. Be-
aides being charged with offending against
the United States postal laws, they ere also
charged with violating the State laws.
Parker said he was forty six years old and
lived in Elizabeth, n. ]. The police say he
served q term for theft nine years ago, and
later again for forgery They have conied-
crates on the other side, whom the London
police will be asked to look after. Later in
| the evening George w. Gibbons, lawyer
having an office at $50 Broadway, whose
name is printed on some OF the circulars OF
the concern as the agency's counsel, was
also arrested. He protested that he knew
nothing of the affairs of the Office, but was
nevertheless locked up.